Golf guide

ABSTRACT

A golf guide is provided which has a plurality of guide cards having a hole therethrough where the front and back of the cards contain written and graphical descriptions of golfing scenarios. A connector is threaded through the holes of the cards and clip is adapted for attaching the golf guide to a golf bag. A deluxe golf guide provides a ringed binder which holds the cards and optionally has holders for a score card, pencils, a yardage chart, golf tees, and markers. This golf guide is used for teaching or reminding golfers how to approach particular golfing scenarios.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a golf guide for use by golfer inteaching or reminding a golfer about preferred means of play. The golfguide has particular utility in connection with teaching golfers how toplay difficult shots while on the golf course or driving range.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Golf guides are desirable to aid a golfer in performing better on thegolf course, particularly when having to execute difficult shots. Usinga golf guide can lower the golfers score and increase his confidence.There are many books, videos and other media that a golfer can use tolearn to play better golf. However, better ways are needed for thegolfer to quickly access information when he needs it on the golf courseor on the driving range.

The use of booklets guides or kits for access while on the golf courseare known in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,820,786 toCandor discloses a booklet that lays out one or more holes on a golfcourse. The booklet is found in a notebook or binder that can be takenonto the course. However, Candor's patent does not disclose a method forhelping with particular golfing scenarios but instead is used tofamiliarize the golfer with yardages and greens on the particular golfcourse, and has further drawbacks of not providing a means to protectthe booklet from inclement weather often encountered while golfing andnot providing a means of attaching the booklet to the golfer's bag.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,284,340 to Laakso discloses a golf scorecard and yardageguide playing booklet that is used to familiarize the golfer withyardages and a particular green and additionally has a scorecard.However, Laakso's patent does not disclose a method for helping withparticular golfing scenarios, and has further drawbacks of not providinga means to protect the booklet from inclement weather and does notprovide a means of attaching the booklet to the golfer's bag.

Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,746,045 to Schweim discloses a golf scorecardholder that can be clamped to a golf bag via a clamping ring. Thisdevice is made from rectangular rigid transparent plastic and allows thegolfer access to his scorecard. However, it does not provide for anytext, diagram, or other means of helping a golfer with particulargolfing scenarios.

The use of descriptive media for instruction or review of golf swings,lies etc. is known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 357,280to Bechler discloses instructional golfing cards that can be used toteach or review different golf rules. However, Bechler's patent must beopened by fanning the booklet out which can make it more difficult tofind particular cards and can become misfolded. The golfer would have tofold and unfold the entire set of cards every time he wanted to look ata single card unless the card known to be found near the beginning orend of the booklet. This booklet also does not provide for a means ofattaching the cards to a golf bag. This invention has the additionaldeficiency of not providing particular aid for different golfingscenarios but instead gives basic golfing instructions and means ofimproving golf control. In addition, there is no protection from therain and other inclement weather conditions.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,020,255 to Rodel discloses a cardholder for a pluralityof cards that can be attached to a key ring. The holder is formed out ofplastic and therefore has some resistance to rain. However, Rodel'spatent does not disclose an application of using the cards to teach,does not mention golf or golf guides, and additionally does notcontemplate a set of cards connected together for easy access to thedifferent cards.

While the above-described devices fulfill their respective, particularobjectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describea golf guide that allows for an easily access to cards that remind orteach golfers how to play a particular lie or correct for a difficultshot. The patents mentioned hereinabove make no provision forinstructional media that can be attached to the golf bag and easilyaccessed on the golf course. The art disclosed herein does nothing toreinforce a golfer's teachings while they need the assistance whenplaying golf on the golf course or practicing at the driving range anddo not provide for instructions on how to play through particulardifficult shots and do not provide for attachment to the golf bag foreasy access.

Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved golf guide that can beused for teaching or reminding golfers how to approach particulargolfing scenarios. In this regard, the present invention substantiallyfulfills this need. In this respect, the golf guide according to thepresent invention substantially departs from the conventional conceptsand designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatusprimarily developed for the purpose of teaching or reminding golfers howto approach particular golfing scenarios.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types ofgolfing booklets now present in the prior art, the present inventionprovides an improved golf guide, and overcomes the above-mentioneddisadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. As such, the generalpurpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequentlyin greater detail, is to provide a new and improved golf guide which hasall the advantages of the prior art mentioned heretofore and many novelfeatures that result in a golf guide which is not anticipated, renderedobvious, suggested, or even implied by the prior art, either alone or inany combination thereof.

To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a pluralityof guide cards, wherein each card comprises a substantially flat frontsurface, a substantially flat back surface and a hole therethrough, thefront surface and the back surface containing written and graphicaldescriptions of golfing scenarios. A connector such as a chain isthreaded through the holes of the cards and clip, such as a key ringclip, is adapted for attaching the golf guide to a golf bag.

In another aspect of the current invention, a deluxe golf guide isprovided. The deluxe golf guide has a ringed binder and a plurality ofguide cards, wherein each card comprises a substantially flat frontsurface, a substantially flat back surface and one or more holestherethrough for insertion into the ringed binder, the front surface andthe back surface containing written and graphical descriptions ofgolfing scenarios. Also provided in the deluxe golf guide are a scorecard holder and a pencil holder. The binder optionally has holders for ayardage chart, golf tees, markers, and other golfing tools.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the invention in order that the detailed description thereofthat follows may be better understood and in order that the presentcontribution to the art may be better appreciated.

The invention may also be described by cards having dimensions of about10 cm long by 7 cm wide. Preferably, the front surface of each cardcomprises a diagram of a golfing scenario and bulleted points and theback surface comprising a brief description of the golfing scenario.

There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will bedescribed hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of theclaims attached.

Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbe readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a readingof the following detailed description of presently preferred, butnonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this respect,before explaining the current embodiment of the invention in detail, itis to be understood that the invention is not limited in its applicationto the details of construction and to the arrangements of the componentsset forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings.The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced andcarried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood thatthe phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose ofdescriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception,upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basisfor the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carryingout the several purposes of the present invention. It is important,therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalentconstructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved golf guide that has all of the advantages of the prior artbooklets and guides and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved golf guide that may be easily and efficiently manufactured andmarketed.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved golf guide that has a low cost of manufacture with regard toboth materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible oflow prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such golfguide economically available to the buying public. Two non-limitingversions of the parsaver golf guide are described. It is contemplatedthat the one version is an economical teaching aid and the deluxeversion is appropriate for gifts and more all-inclusive option forpurchase.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new golfguide that provides in the apparatuses of the prior art some of theadvantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of thedisadvantages normally associated therewith. The golf guide is providedfor easy access to relevant information on the golf course.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with thevarious features of novelty that characterize the invention, are pointedout with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part ofthis disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, itsoperating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses,reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptivematter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those setforth above will become apparent when consideration is given to thefollowing detailed description thereof. Such description makes referenceto the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of one embodiment of the golf guide as it isclipped to a golf bag and is constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a descriptive view of one card of the golf guide of thepresent invention, showing both the front and back view of the card.

FIG. 3 is an illustrative of one embodiment of the golf guide of thepresent invention, where the cards are held in a ringed binder.

The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout thevarious figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1-3, apreferred embodiment of the golf guide of the present invention is shownand generally designated by the reference numeral 10.

In FIG. 1, a new and improved golf guide 10 of the present invention forteaching or reminding golfers how to approach particular golfingscenarios is illustrated and will be described. More particularly, thegolf guide 10 has a number of cards 12, each of which has at least onehole 14 extending through the card. A connector 16, such as a metalchain, metal loop, or plastic loop extends through the hole in each ofthe cards connecting them together but allowing for facile access to thefront and rear surface of each of the cards. A clip 18 is attached tothe connector 16. This clip is adapted for attaching the cards to a golfbag 20. The clip 18 may also attach the cards to a golf cart or thegolfer's clothing (such as through a belt loop etc.) or to the cart. Theclip is preferably one similar to clips found on key ring attachments.In one embodiment, the clip is normally in a closed position and isopened by moving a lever, which opens the clip for as long as pressureis applied to the lever; the lever can be opened using a single hand.

Attachment of the golf guide to a golf cart by means of a clip andconnector allows the golfer to refer to the cards quickly and easilywhile on the golf course or driving range. The golfer can fan throughthe set of cards to find the appropriate card with ease.

In one embodiment, these cards 12 are approximately 10 cm by 7 cm andapproximately 0.5 mm thick. This size is selected because it is largeenough for an image and text to be displayed and yet small enough not toadd much additional bulk or weight to the golf bag. Other sizes of cardsare also contemplated; for example, the cards may be 9×6 cm or 12×8 cm.The thickness of the cards depends on the materials used. Thicker cardsmay be produced with thicker stock of paper, plastic or plasticlamination. The cards will be less than 2.0 mm thick. The cards arewaterproof, meaning that in the presence of drizzle or rainy conditions,the cards will not be destroyed. Any water found on the cards can bewiped off or allowed to evaporate and will not harm the cards.

In FIG. 2, the front and back surfaces of a single card 12 are shownsimultaneously. A hole 14 traversing through the thickness of the cardcan be seen in the upper left corner of the card. On the front surfaceof the card 22, a diagram of a golfer is shown. A simple golfing diagram24 depicting the set up or lie with easy-to-follow arrows demonstratingitems such as the appropriate stance, club angle and position, and anappropriate swing is shown. Bulleted points 26 or “swing thoughts” helpthe golfer play the shot/set up correctly by describing the diagram andpoints to remember in the particular golfing scenario. On the backsurface of the card 28, a brief description 30 of the golfing scenariodiagramed on the front of the card is shown. This brief description 30concisely describes what will happen if the shot is played normally andhow the golfer can adapt stance, swing, clubface, or other aspect of thegame to compensate for the particular condition and get the desiredresults.

This figure depicts a single card in the golfing guide of the currentinvention. A plurality of cards will be included in each golfing guide,with each card connected to one another through a connector attachedthrough the hole 14 in each card. Preferably, there will be 10-40 cards,or more particularly 15-25 cards, or about 20 cards in a golfing guide.Each card in the set will depict a different golfing scenario, rule, orgeneral game tip. It is contemplated that one card will index thegolfing scenarios found on the other cards and that one card will be atitle card for the set. It is also contemplated that several golfingguides as described in this invention will be available, each with adifferent set of golfing scenarios on the cards therein.

The distinction between the front and back surfaces of the cards isarbitrary, and may be altered by moving the hole to the opposite uppercorner of the card. However, when connected together, all golfingdiagram 24 and bulleted points 26 should face in one direction and allbrief descriptions 30 the other.

The cards will address issues for golfing scenarios such as: how toprevent hooking, how to prevent slicing, how to stop topping the ball,how to get out of the bunker, how to hit the ball on a downhill lie,determining tee height and placement for different woods, reading howfar away the flag is and playing a ball in a water hazard. Many othergolfing scenarios will also be provided in one card set.

The cards will give appropriate information for each scenario andprovide suggestions on, for example, club selection, stance, weightdistribution, club head angle, lie, loft, etc.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the current invention. Thisembodiment is a “deluxe” golf guide 32, and contains additionalfeatures. In this embodiment, multiple holes 14 are provided to attachthe cards 12 to a ringed binder 34. The binder 34 contains closablerings 36, which can be snapped, closed to secure the cards 12 into thebinder 24. There may be 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or more rings in the binder. Eachcard 12 will have the same number of holes 14 as the binder 34 hasclosable rings 36 and the holes 14 are spaced so that the cards 12 fitinto the binder 34. The binder also contains a holder or pocket for ascorecard 38 and one or more pencil holders 40 for one or more pencils42.

Optionally, the deluxe golf guide 32 may contain a holder for a yardageguide showing the yardage and layout of the particular golf course, ahandicap converting table, a description of the basic rules, a tablet ofpaper or a plastic sheet and marker for taking notes, and other variousinformation. The deluxe golf guide 32 may contain a clip 18 forattachment of the golf guide binder 34 to a golf bag, golfer, cart, orother object easily accessible while on the golf course.

The cards 12 will be made out of laminated paper or paperboard.Alternatively, the cards will be made out of a thin rigid sheet ofplastic. The cards may be white paper printed with black ink andlaminated with a clear plastic. Alternatively, the cards may comprisecolored paper, colored ink, or colored plastic. The different colors maycorrespond with different aspects being taught (e.g. one color of textfor a description of what happens when the golf ball is hit normally anda different color suggesting adjustments that can be made) or withdifferent types of cards (e.g. one color of card for shots from thefairway and a different color of card for shots from the rough orhazards).

In use, it can now be understood that the parsaver golf guide describedherein may be used by novice or intermediate level golfers who want tobetter their game. It may be used by a golfer who is also engaged inlessons or by a golfer who wants to better his game alone. The differentgolfing scenarios will provide the golfer with ways of reminding himgolfers how to play difficult shots or lies.

While a preferred embodiment of the golf guide has been described indetail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations theretoare possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of theinvention. With respect to the above description then, it is to berealized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of theinvention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form,function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readilyapparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalentrelationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in thespecification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.For example, any suitable material such as plastic laminated paper orpaperboard, or plastic may be used. And although a parsaver golf guidedepicting various golfing scenarios has been described, it should beappreciated that the golf guide herein described is also suitable forguiding a golfer through various golfing situations, and may include aset containing golfing rules, club selection and projected balldistances, golfing etiquette, etc.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

1. A golf guide comprising: a plurality of guide cards, wherein eachcard comprises a substantially flat front surface, a substantially flatback surface and a hole therethrough, said front surface and said backsurface containing written and graphical descriptions of golfingscenarios; a connector threaded through the holes of said cards; and aclip attached to said connector adapted for attachment to a golf bag. 2.The golf guide of claim 1, wherein said cards are 10 cm long by 7 cmwide.
 3. The golf guide of claim 2, wherein said clip is key ring clip.4. The golf guide of claim 3, wherein said cards are laminatedpaperboard.
 5. The golf guide of claim 1, wherein said cards areplastic.
 6. The golf guide of claim 1, wherein said connector is achain.
 7. The golf guide of claim 1, further comprising at least twoholes and two connectors.
 8. The golf guide of claim 1, comprising atleast 15 cards, wherein each card describes a different golfingscenario.
 9. The golf guide of claim 8, comprising at least 20 cards,wherein each card describes a different golfing scenario.
 10. The golfguide of claim 9, wherein said front surface of each card comprises adiagram of a golfing scenario and said back surface comprising a briefdescription of said golfing scenario.
 11. The golf guide of claim 10,wherein said written and graphical descriptions provide information onclub selection, stance, weight distribution, ball loft, or club headangle.
 12. A golf guide comprising: a plurality of guide cards, whereineach card is waterproof and comprises a substantially flat front surfacecomprises a diagram of a golfing scenario, a substantially flat backsurface comprising a brief description of said golfing scenario, and ahole therethrough, said front surface and said back surface containingwritten and graphical descriptions of golfing scenarios; a connectorthreaded through the holes of said cards; and a clip attached to saidconnector adapted for attachment to a golf bag.
 13. A golf guidecomprising: a ringed binder; a plurality of guide cards, wherein eachcard comprises a substantially flat front surface, a substantially flatback surface and one or more holes therethrough for insertion into saidringed binder, said front surface and said back surface containingwritten and graphical descriptions of golfing scenarios; a score cardholder; and a pencil holder.
 14. The golf guide of claim 13, furthercomprising a clip attached to said ringed binder wherein said clip isadapted for attachment to a golf bag.
 15. The golf guide of claim 14,wherein said clip is key ring clip.
 16. The golf guide of claim 13,wherein said cards are 10 cm long by 7 cm wide.
 17. The golf guide ofclaim 13, further comprising a holder for one or more golf tees.
 18. Thegolf guide of claim 13, further comprising a yardage guide.
 19. The golfguide of claim 13, wherein said cards are waterproof.
 20. The golf guideof claim 19, comprising at least 20 cards, wherein each card describes adifferent golfing scenario.